Has anyone used one of these side by side with the saturator nt-02a? curious about the MC's saturation capabilities in comparison to what the saturator can accomplish. It seems MC is far more versatile and more than one would need, but if saturation is the main end-goal is it better to save 1,200 and go with nt-02a?

jamb wrote:Has anyone used one of these side by side with the saturator nt-02a? curious about the MC's saturation capabilities in comparison to what the saturator can accomplish. It seems MC is far more versatile and more than one would need, but if saturation is the main end-goal is it better to save 1,200 and go with nt-02a?

I haven't had the chance to use a nt-02a, but I did look into it extensively before buying my Modular Channel. I read up on it and listened/watched all the demos I could find and compare.

Ultimately, the versatility of the Modular Channel won me over... even when we are just talking about a Saturation box. On the Modular Channel, there are so many ways to achieve saturation, and so many interesting ways to combine them. That appealed to me more than the nt-02a which seems a little more like a 1-trick pony and lacks a compressor and other bells and whistles the Modular Channel has.

I'm sure the nt-02a does exactly as advertised and is a great saturation box. But the Modular Channel is designed for those who want more flexibility with crafting their own flavor of saturation through experimentation. For example, I can simply bypass the EQ, the Saturation, and the filter circuits, and figure out ways to tweak just the compressor by itself in a way that saturates nicely to my ears. There's a lot of different paths to take on it to reach the same goal... saturation.

Just all depends on which road you want to take to get to that same destination... the nt-02a offers a super fast highway, straight and narrow to the destination, where as the Modular Channel is a complex set of back roads and alternative scenic routes.

My modular channel arrived a couple of weeks ago but I've only just had a chance to use it. I am very impressed by its ability to push audio to extremes while also maintaining control/fidelity. I haven't found a sound yet that it can't improve in some way.

Not much to add which hasn't already been stated here. Just wanted to join the chorus of praise.

I always start crying when I read about this unit. There was a guy in Rotterdam selling one at the start of the year, his asking price was €2200, I negotiated him down to €1800 but said I needed a month to raise the funds. In the meantime he then sold it to someone else.... for €1500!

I've had the FB for over a decade now and had a couple chances to mess with the Modular Channel. To make the comparison simple the FB is a guitar pedal and the MC is high end stereo dyamics processor with plenty of color. The FB is great for smashing a source where the MC can do everything from subtle to smash.

yeah overlooking the stereo thing i imagine it does the subtle thing better and is a more immediately approachable interface than the sherman. The parameters alone suggest some nice subtle enhancement of source material but all the youtube demos of the mod channel quickly get into crazy distortion....and not all of it has a flavour i am drawn too...so wondering if thats where the unit is supposed to excel...that point of breaking up the audio.

Just wanted to wake this thread up and spread the gospel of Jeff/ OS. I’ve had the chance to audition all of his rack units, which are all fantastic. The Modular Channel is incredibly labor-intensive to build, hence it's exclusive direct order availability. I'll be taking delivery of one soon and have never been as excited for a piece of outboard in my life. In a world of subtle Porticos/ Fusions/ ETC, Overstayer shit goes so much further, it's beyond comparison. Jeff is a total synth head, as well. If you can only have 1 piece of outboard, you'd be hard-pressed to do better than the MC

Just wanted to wake this thread up and spread the gospel of Jeff/ OS. I’ve had the chance to audition all of his rack units, which are all fantastic. The Modular Channel is incredibly labor-intensive to build, hence it's exclusive direct order availability. I'll be taking delivery of one soon and have never been as excited for a piece of outboard in my life. In a world of subtle Porticos/ Fusions/ ETC, Overstayer shit goes so much further, it's beyond comparison. Jeff is a total synth head, as well. If you can only have 1 piece of outboard, you'd be hard-pressed to do better than the MC

Since you tested them all personally I'd like to ask you something. I've hear that the Modular Chanel has MAS and Saturator "in" it. Is that correct? It seems like Jeff put it all together in one unit.

would anyone have any suggestions for a similar device in a $1500 price range? I might save up for one of these, but it seems like overkill for my level of skill. I would just like a great sounding rack saturator / compressor to put the final touch on the mix.

I was thinking about getting an analog heat just to get by for a while, but i've heard many mixed opinions on it. I don't plan on using the EQ / filters so much, unless anyone has some experience to say that i might find those functions useful on an entire mix.

would anyone have any suggestions for a similar device in a $1500 price range? I might save up for one of these, but it seems like overkill for my level of skill. I would just like a great sounding rack saturator / compressor to put the final touch on the mix.

I was thinking about getting an analog heat just to get by for a while, but i've heard many mixed opinions on it. I don't plan on using the EQ / filters so much, unless anyone has some experience to say that i might find those functions useful on an entire mix.

If software is ok I would highly recommend Soundtoyz Decapitator. Otherwise maybe keep an eye out for an Overstayer ID-4. That OTO machines box looks nice too but I'm not personally in love with the interface (saying this as a BAM owner).

would anyone have any suggestions for a similar device in a $1500 price range? I might save up for one of these, but it seems like overkill for my level of skill. I would just like a great sounding rack saturator / compressor to put the final touch on the mix.

I was thinking about getting an analog heat just to get by for a while, but i've heard many mixed opinions on it. I don't plan on using the EQ / filters so much, unless anyone has some experience to say that i might find those functions useful on an entire mix.

Same company makes a mono version that offers slightly pared down versions of all the same features for around $1,400. Search Overstayer Imperial Channel. Sounds like you’re looking for a stereo device, though.